Will the White Out be at NIGHT? Penn State AD Pat Kraft Hints at Future of the Game.

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Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft sat down for an exclusive interview with Blue White Illustrated on Monday. BWI Senior Editor Nate Bauer spoke with Kraft for 15 minutes, focusing on Beaver Stadium renovation, NIL, and the White Out. Now, you can watch the full conversation.

Blue White Illustrated members get early access to the full interview before it goes live on YouTube next Monday evening. Here are some excerpts of Bauer’s conversation with Kraft.

Penn State AD Pat Kraft on the price to renovate Beaver Stadium
Related: Pat Kraft: Renovation project expands Beaver Stadium utility

Penn State settled on three-quarters of a billion dollars ($700 million) to renovate the 110,000-seat stadium. Kraft addressed the realites of major construction in the area.

“I know everyone sees that number,” Kraft said. “Construction here in Happy Valley is not cheap. So I’ve been blown away as we’ve done projects just because of where we are located. So let’s put that there. I also think we’re trying to fix as much as we humanly (can). All the circulation issues. We’ve got to fix the way that game day – meaning concessions, bathrooms, all of those things that our fans deserve.

“And then we also have to pay for it. We don’t have the premium opportunities that… people really want. And with a building this large, if you do it right, you can accommodate all of our fans and all that they want. I think it attracts all of those elements.”

Kraft on NIL
Related: Notebook: Penn State AD Pat Kraft ‘confident’ in shifting NIL landscape

With the prospect of NIL efforts coming in-house for college athletic programs, Kraft feels better about the future of college sports and Penn State’s place in it.

“I’m as confident and as excited as I’ve ever been in this world moving forward,” said Kraft. “It is allowing us the opportunity, and I’ve not been shy about saying this, I do not like, I did not like the fact that we could not be involved with our student-athletes and helping them. It is now in essence coming in-house. We now can help, “ Kraft said.

He also discussed the role of collectives like Happy Valley United and what part they can play in the future. Check out the video for his comments.

The White Out
Will the White Out get the same protections as other major college football games from networks looking to maximize their revenue? Kraft gave his thoughts on what the White Out needs.

“I’m a firm believer in the night game,” he said. “I’ve heard enough. I’ve watched two, Iowa and Minnesota. You want your best game. But there is a point to it. That FOX window is so strong for FOX. So look, this is where the finesse of the whole thing comes in. I’m not a very finesse guy. But, I do think you always want that. You want that atmosphere.”



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Will the White Out be at NIGHT? Penn State AD Pat Kraft Hints at Future of the Game.